Point detonating fuse



J 1932. D. L. WOQDBERRY POINT DETONATING FUSE Filed Feb. 13', 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 DAV/D L. WOODBERRY INVENTOR Jvrrme J Y/JUMMMM ATTORNEYS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 26, 1932. D. L. WOODBERRY POINT DETONATING FUSE Filed Feb. 13, 1950 DA v/D L WOODBERR y INVENTOR..

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1932 nav'm L. woonnnnmr, or nnenwoon, v

POINT DETONA'I'IN G FUSE Application filed February 18, 1980. Serial No. 428,203.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT M03 8, 1888, AS AMENDED APRIL 80, 1928 870 0. G. 757) This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for Government purposes without the paymentv to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates in general to actuating mechanisms and more particularly has reference to a point de'tonatlng fuse.

Previous to this time in devices of this character, it has been customary to positively look a firing pin out of contact with an aligned detonator charge. Also, a detonator charge has been maintained out of alignment with an explosive train by spring action.

It will be apparent that mechanisms of the first type tend to complicate a fuse structure and to disturb the balance of a projectile after firing, causing objectionable tumbling over the trajectory. The latter variety of detonator carriers opera-ting against spring pressure are obviously not efficient for use'in connection with striking devices where a positive fixed alignment is essential for satisfactory operation.

An object of this invention is to provide a point detonating fuse having a detonator charge adapted to be out of alignment with a striker pin before ejection from the muzzle of an ordnance piece, after firing.

Another object of this invention is to pro-- vide a point detonating fuse having a detonator carrier normally out of alignment with a striker pin adapted to be released for alignment therewith on firing and to align after ejection from the muzzle of an ordnance piece.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a point detonating fuse having a detonator carrier normally out of alignment 40 with a striker pin prior to ejection from the muzzle of an ordnance piece, adapted to be aligned therewith and locked on firing.

A further object of this invention is to pro- 2 vide a point detonating fuse having a firing pin triply armed against movement prior to Ioadmg.

A still further object of this invention is to iprovide a point detonating fuse having a ring pin triply armed'against movement, on loading previous to firing.

It will thus be apparent that the objects of this invention'are in general to provide a point detonating fuse having a combination safety fork and detonator carrier, and a firmg pin; the pin and combination detonator carrler and fork having a common arming feature adapted to be removed before loading in an ordnance piece; the pin, and combination detonator carrier and fork having individual arming features adapted to become disarmed on firing; the combination detonator carrier and fork being adapted to become armed after ejection from a weapon to arm the pin, and the pin to operate on suflicient impact.

With these and other objects in view which 05 may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, wlth the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention,

may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a sectional view of the fuse forming the subject matter of this invention, before loading, taken on line 1-1 of Figure Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuse before loading.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the fuse taken on line of Figure 4, after firing.

Figure 4 .is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuse after firing.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the fuse after ejection from the muzzle of a weapon taken on line 55 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuse after ejection from the muzzle of a weapon.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the fuse on impact.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuse on impact, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring more particularly by numerals to the drawings in which the same and similar elements are designated by like symbols of reference throughout, and more particularly to Figure 2, there is shown an integral fuse body 1.

The fuse body 1 is formed at the top with a truncated head portion 2 and at the bottom with a downwardly projecting neck 3. The nose portion 2 is provided with a horizontal bore 4 and a vertical bore 5 of smaller 'diame ter. The bore 4 is closed at one end and opens into one face of the fuse head at the other, while the bore 5 opens into thenose at one end and communicates with the bore 4 at the other.

The neck 3 is provided with a vertical bore 6, opening in the bottom thereof at one end, and communicating at the other with a bore 7 opening into the longitudinal bore 4, the same corresponding with, and being in alignment with, the vertical bore 5 opening into the other side thereof.

The neck of the fuse is provided in addition with a vertical bore 8 located between the bore 6 and the outer wall of the neck. The horizontal bore 4 in the head is extended to the outer portion of the fuse by a constricted bore 9. The nose of the fuse proper is provided with a centrally located annular groove 11.

A firing rod 12 having a pin 13- centrally fixed thereon is adapted to be fitted in the vertical bore 5. The outer end of the rod 12 is provided with a disc head 14 suitably fixed thereon, as by a screw 16. The disc 14 is held away from the nose by a pair of split collars l7 'and 18 interposed between the head and the bottom of the disc.

The split collars are held in place by a collar 19 partially seated in the annular groove 11, and so fixed by a shear wire 21 extending therethrough, and also extending through the nose of the fuse and the rod 12. It will be apparent that by shearing of the wire 21 the collar 19 will be free to seat in the groove 11 so as to allow the split collars 17 and 18 to be thrown off.

A detonator carrier 22 having a vertical aperture formed in one end thereof and extending therethrough for carrying a detonat- -slot 4.

ing charge 23, is mounted in the horizontal The detonator carrier is formed integral with the safety fork 24, adapted to be seated in the bore 9 extended from the bore 4. After insertion of the combination detonator carrier and safety. fork in the bores 4 and 9, the bore 4 is closed by a screw cap 25 fitted in the seat 26 forming an extension of the bore 4 and conm'iunicating with the outer portion of the head 2.

The detonator carrier, as shown in Figure 1, is provided with an aperture 27 having a movable pin 28 flush with the surface thereof, seated therein. The detonator carrier is also provided with a longitudinal groove 29 on one side thereof. An aperture 31 communicating with the bore 4 and corresponding to the aperture 27 in the detonating carrier is provided in the fuse head. Opposlte the aperture 31 is formed a bore 32 extending into a bore 33 of enlarged diameter communicating with the outer portion of the fuse head.

A screw 34 is fixed in the bore 33, having an extension 32 of constricted diameter extending through the bore 32, and fitting in the groove 29, formed in the detonating carrier to prevent rotation thereof. The pin 28 is adapted to partially seat in the aperture 31 when the detonator carrier is moved, so

' as to align the aperture 27 therewith.

Movement of the safety fork is prevented by a set-back pellet 35, as shown in Figure 2, seated in the bore 8. The pellet 35 is provided with an integrally formed horizontal extension 36 adapted to fit in an aperture 37 extending through the safety fork. The extension 36 is held in the aperture 37 by a spring 39 in the bore 8 which is seated on a screw plug 41. Shearing of the wire 21 maintaining the collar 19 and firing rod 12 in posi tion, and movement of the pellet 35, is prevented by a U-shaped safety pin 42, having one arm 43 passing through the nose and holding the collar 19, and another arm 44 passing through the head of the fuse and the pellet. The removal of the safety pin is facilitated by a pull ring 45, as shown in Figure 1, fastened thereon.

The bore 7 communicating with the bore 4 in the head and the bore 6 in the neck, is adapted to contain a powder train 46, communicating with a booster charge 47, contained in a booster tube 48 fitted in the bore 6. The operation of the invention will be readily understood by first having reference to Figures 3 and 4.

l/Vhen it is desired to fire a projectile having the fuse forming the subject matter of this invention mounted thereon, as shown in Figure 4, the safety pin 42 is removed, freeing the collar 19 and the pellet 35. The projectile is then inserted in the barrel of a weapon, movement of the safety fork being prevented, as shown in Figure 2, by engagement of pellet 35 with the aperrod 12 is prevented, however, by reason of the split. collars 17 and 18 interposed between the head of the fuse and the disc 14 carried on the end of the rod.

While it will be apparent, with the collar 19 seated in the groove 11, that the split collars are free to be thrown off, the same will be. maintained imposition until exit of the projectile from the barrel of the weapon inasmuch as the shock incident from firing is greater than the centrifugal force at this point, and the collars will be held in place until after the projectile has left the weapon. The centrifugal force created by rotation of the projectile in flight is adapted to throw tioned charge and said firing pin, a member ofi the split collars 17 and18, as shown in Figure 6, allowing the firing rod freeto function on contact, with the shearing of the wire 21.

Rotation of the projectile is also adapted to move the combination detonator carrier and safety fork so as to align the detonating charge 23 with the pin and the powder train 46. The detonator charge is locked in alignment by engagement of the pin 28 in the aperture 31. On contact of the fuse with the target the wire 21 is sheared, as shown in Figure 8, detonating the charge 23, the setting off of the explosive train 46 leading to the booster charge 47, and causing detonation of the same and bursting of the projectile.

There is accomplished by this invention a point detonating fuse having a combination detonator carrier and safety fork normally out of alignment with a striker pin adapted to be aligned and locked on firing. The firing pin being triply locked before loading, doubly locked on firing, and armed in flight.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be fired from an ordnance piece, comprising a firing pin, a charge in line with said firing pin, a second charge between said first-mencarrying said second-mentioned charge and movable to position said second mentioned charge either in line or out of line with said first-mentioned charge and said firing pin, a locking member to lock said charge carryin member in position with said charges out o alignment previous to firing, a pin to positively secure said locking member in locking position previous to loading, and a member integral with said charge carrying member and projecting laterally outside of the fuse, said last-mentioned member bearing against the wall of the barrelof the ordnance piece, and maintaining said charge carrying member in position with said charges out of alignment while the projectile is within the barrel.

. 2. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be fired from an ordnance piece, said fuse comprising a firing pin, a primer charge, a detonator charge carrier slidably mounted in the fuse bod a detonator charge in said carrier, means for maintaining said carrier in such position that said charges are unaligned previous to firing the projectile, an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member after firing being moved into contact with the barrel of said ordnance piece and maintaining said charges out of alignment while the projectile is in the barrel.

3. A fuse for a projectileadapted'to be fired from an ordnance piece, said fuse comprising a firing pin, a primer charge, a detonator charge carrier slidably mounted in the fuse body, a detonator charge in said car-.

rier, means for maintaining said carrier in such position that said charges are unaligned previous to firing the projectile, an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member being moved into contact with the barrel of the ordnance piece after firing and maintaining said chargesout of alignment while the projectile is in the barrel, said carrier after the projectile has left the barrel being moved so as to align said charges, and means associated with the carrier for looking it in said last-mentioned position with the charges aligned.

4. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be' charges are out of alignment previous to firing, an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member after firing being moved into contact with the barrel of said ordnance piece and maintaining said charges out of alignment while they are within the barrel, said carrier after leavthe barrel being moved into such position that said charges are aligned, and means for locking the carrier in said last mentioned position including a pin slidably mounted within a recess in the carrier, the Wall of said lateral bore being provided with an aperture for receiving a portion of said pin when the charges are in alignment.

'5. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be fired from an ordnance piece, said fuse comprising a firing pin, a primer charge, a detonator charge carrier slidably mounted in a fuse body, a detonator charge in said carrier, the body of said fuse being provided with a longitudinal bore, a set back pellet slidably mounted therein, said carrier previous to the firing of the projectile being maintained in such position that said charges are unaligned by the engagement with said pellet and an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member after firing being moved into contact with the barrel of said ordnance piece and maintaining said charges out of alignment while the projectile is in the barrel.

6. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be fired from an ordnance piece, said fuse comprising a firing pin, a primer charge, a detonator charge carrier slidably mounted in the fuse body, a detonator charge in said carrier, the body of said fuse being provided with a longitudinal bore, a set back pellet with a spring mounted therein, said carrier previous to the firing of the projectile being maintained in such position that the charges are unaligned by its engagement with the pellet, an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member being moved into contact with the barrel of the ordnance piece after firing and maintaining said charges out of alignment while they are in the barrel, said carrier after leaving the barrel. being moved so as to align said charges, and means associated with the carrier for locking it in such position that the charges are aligned.

7. A fuse for a projectile adapted to be fired from an ordnance piece, said fuse comprising a firing pin, a primer charge, the body of said fuse being provided with a laterally extending bore and a longitudinally extending bore communicating therewith, a detonator charge carrier with detonator charge slidably mounted in said lateral bore, a set back pellet slidably mounted in said longitudinal bore, said detonator charge previous to the firing of the projectile being maintained out of alignment with the primer charge by the engagement of the carrier with the set back pellet, an extension member formed integrally with said carrier, said extension member after firing being moved into contact with the barrel of the ordnance piece and maintaining said charges unaligned while in the barrel, said carrier after leaving the barrel being moved into such position that the charges are aligned, and means for locking the carrier in suchposition including a pin slidably mounted Within an aperture in the carrier, the wall of said lateral bore being provided with a second aperture for receiving a portion of said pin when said carrier is positioned so that said charges are aligned.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DAVID L. WOODBERRY. 

